Rare ’70 Corvette ZR1 Stingray To Be Auctioned Saturday In Monterey

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Hosting its 16th year during the Monterey, California as part of its annual historic car week, and with the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance weekend, Russo and Steele’s auction isone of the hottest events for collectors of rare automobiles.

This particular consignment, No. 7011, represents an outstanding specimen of an extremely rare 1970 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Stingray Convertible. It will be offered for sale to the highest bidder when it crosses the stage on Saturday, August 20. Buyers will only have 15 minutes between an approximate start and end time of 8:06 and 8:21 p.m. to view the car and complete bids.

A Rare Unicorn Discovered, One Of Only 25 Produced

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In 1970, famed chief Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov carried the knowledge and experience he had of the L88 and small-block ‘Vette engines to develop the ready-to-race ZR1, which in reality was a small-block powerplant of the L88 as it shared many other components.

According to Russo and Steele’s auction detail sheet, there were only 1,287 buyers for the LT1 Corvette in 1970, with only 25 buyers opting for the ZR1 package. “Powered by the mighty LT1 solid-lifter small block, which was fitted with a heavy-duty L88 starter and a lightweight flywheel, mated to the famous Muncie M22 “Rock Crusher” four-speed manual transmission.

In addition, it was equipped with other features found on the L88, including RPO J56 heavy-duty brakes, a special aluminum radiator with surge tank and metal fan shroud, heavy-duty springs and shocks, and front and rear sway bars that were larger in diameter.

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As a competition coupe, the ZR1 was kept lean and mean. Buyers could not order it with such modern conveniences as power windows or steering, air conditioning, rear-window defogger, wheel covers, or even a radio. Chevrolet documents state only 25 examples were manufactured in 1970. This brilliant white on blue Corvette is one of those few. Making it all the more a unicorn, this car was specifically ordered and delivered from the factory as a convertible.

“The car was originally prepared and sponsored by Corvette racing legend Dick Guldstrand for SCCA solo competition for then-owner George Lynch. Since that time, it has had only three other owners and is highly regarded as a former part of the Chuck Ungurean ZR1 Collection,” according to the auction detail sheet. In 2015, it underwent an extensive mechanical restoration and detailing, earning NCRS Top Flight honors, scoring 98.3/100 in judging the same year.

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Details, Documents, And Recognition

  • 1 of 25 ZR1s produced in 1970, only a handful were convertibles
  • NCRS Top Flight Award in 2015 scoring 98.3
  • Mechanical restoration in 2015 by The Corvette Shop in Costa Mesa, California
  • Original purchase order and Protect-O-Plate
  • Four owner car with ownership history
  • Former Sports Car Magazine cover car
  • ZR1 special performance engine package
  • Matching numbers LT1 350/370 HP V-8
  • M22 Rock Crusher 4-speed transmission
  • J56 heavy duty brakes
  • Special 4.11 rear axle ratio
  • Lightweight flywheel, heavy duty L88 starter
  • SCCA solo race prepped and sponsored by Dick Guldstrand for George Lynch
  • Copies of shipper papers, ownership history and judging sheets
  • Classic White with Blue interior and White soft top
  • Tilt/telescopic steering column
  • No radio
Steel and Russo’s three-day auction will consist of more than 250 cars, of which many are rare Corvettes. For more information, visit the website.

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